With the 86th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings selected Wyatt Davis.
Just about every mock draft prior to the 2020 NFL season had Wyatt Davis penciled in for the Minnesota Vikings as they worked to fix their offensive line. After a bit of a down season at Ohio State in 2020, Davis fell to the Vikings in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft with a chance to be the Day 1 starter at left guard.
Minnesota already made a move on the offensive line by adding Christian Darrisaw in the first round and now they possibly have two new starters to hold things down for Kirk Cousins and Dalvin Cook next season. Any time you can use a third-round pick on a starting-caliber player at a position of need, it is met with nothing but praise.
Minnesota was a candidate to trade up and lock in a guard in round two, but they opted to stand pat with all four of their third-round picks, and things worked out wonderfully for them. Davis should be the favorite to start at left guard when the season kicks off while Ezra Cleveland continues to take reps on the right side.
There is a lot to like with Davis and this was absolutely the correct pick for the Vikings when they were on the clock in the middle of the third round. They could have tried to land a safety or wide receiver at this spot as well, but Davis was an excellent value at a position of dire need.
So what can we expect from Davis in his rookie season with Minnesota?
The Good
Mauling ability
The Vikings want to get out in the run game and use their lineman in space. Wyatt Davis is not the most athletic guard in the world, but he has shown just how dangerous he can be in the run game as a people-mover.
He brings a nice blend of functional power and mobility into space, which will be a perfect match with Minnesota’s zone run scheme. Davis is dominant at the point of attack and he rarely loses his reps in both the run game and in pass protection. Minnesota will be able to play to his strengths and use the youth next to him to take some of the load off of his shoulders.
Experience
Davis is young, but he has a nice body of work already under his belt as a multi-year starter at Ohio State, one of the top college programs in the country. He was thrust into action early and he lived up to his high expectations. HIs 2019 season was one of the best single seasons an offensive lineman could ask for.
Throughout his career at Ohio State, Davis allowed just four sacks across 865 pass-block snaps. Having someone along the interior that can keep Kirk Cousins safe is all you can ask for at this point in the draft.
His experience alone is great, but it also comes with NFL technique and a large body that will make him an immediate force at the next level. I would be shocked beyond belief if Davis did not open the season as a starting guard on any team in the NFL, let alone the Vikings.
Davis uses good hands, proper technique and footwork, and good agility to his advantage. He is fluid enough to win in space, but he will make a name for himself as a big-bodied bully next to Garrett Bradbury.
The Bad
Athleticism does not fit perfectly
We have seen the Vikings target those athletic movers up front, including with this year’s first-round pick, Christian Darrisaw. With Darrisaw, Ezra Cleveland, and Brian O’Neill, Minnesota has a group of guys who can get out in space and be athletic freaks in the run game, while also being more than capable as pass protectors.
With Wyatt Davis, the athleticism is there, but it is not on the same level as the other guys. He will not be an electric mover out of the gate and he may be a bit slower than the others, which could be a challenge as they try to establish the run.
Size
While Davis is a very stout blocker that can do a lot well, he does lack the size that is desired at the next level. He can pack a punch in his smaller frame, but there will be concerns about his length and lack of athleticism to overcome his short arms.
He could also stand to add some weight and be more of a true anchor on the inside, though that would only hurt his athleticism and ability to kick into the second level in rushing situations. These are minor issues that shouldn’t hold Davis back too much, but they are worth considering when we factor in his entire resume – and part of the reason as to why he lasted this long.
What to expect from Wyatt Davis in 2021
I’ll continue to push the idea that Wyatt Davis should be expected to start as soon as he arrives in Minnesota. They have a glaring need at either guard spot with Ezra Cleveland taking over the other side and Davis was not drafted to sit behind the ever-promising Dakota Dozier and Dru Samia.
He will be trusted to step right in and play at a decent level as a rookie. If he can be even an average guard in his first season, the Vikings will be in a very good spot come the end of the year with a likely trip to the playoffs.
The offensive line held Minnesota’s offense back some last year, although the offense still put up insane numbers, but a revamped group in the trenches can do some damage.
Davis was a first-round prospect just eight months ago. A little bit of a down season should not deter fans from hoping he can help the Vikings’ offense in a major way. He is capable of manning the guard spot and keeping Kirk Cousins clean.
Minnesota has asked a lot out of recent third-round selections, including Cameron Dantzler last season. That will be no different this season, nor should it be. This was an excellent selection at a great value for the Vikings.
What the Vikings can expect from Kellen Mond in 2021
The Minnesota Vikings selected quarterback Kellen Mond in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft, giving them a quarterback to mold under Kirk Cousins.
Things will not go perfectly for Davis as a rookie, and we should expect to see some rough patches as he adjusts to the NFL. But he will be a steady upgrade from what we saw at the left guard spot last season. His addition makes this team a lot better and that’s all you can really say at the moment.